- Robot Arm
A distinctive feature of Curiosity is its robot arm. The arm extends about 7 feet (2 meters). At the end of the arm, there is a drill and a sieve, so Curiosity can obtain hard-to-get samples or filter its specimens. More than any other Rover, Curiosity will reach out and touch Martial soil and rocks, bringing in samples for a closer look. The Rover can send photographs of samples back to Earth or can perform numerous tests.
- Robot Head with Laser Eyes
The Rover's "head" extend about 6.9 feet (2.1 meters) and supports a normal high-def stereo color camera/video camera (MastCam) and also a laser that can vaporize a sample from 23 feet (7 meters) away and then determine its elemental composition based on what it sees. The laser/camera combination is named ChemCam.
- REMS
Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) is Curiosity's weather station. Weather forecasts will help Curiosity steer clear of Martian storms and may help the Rover identify points of interest for exploration.
- Cameras, Cameras, Cameras
Curiosity has 17 cameras, capable of photographing samples across the spectrum.
- APXS
Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer. This instrument, located on Curiosity's "hand", identifies the chemical elements in rocks.
- CheMin
CheMin is short for "Chemistry and Mineralogy". This is an analytical instrument located in the body of Curiosity that applies X-ray diffraction and fluorescence to analyze the mineral composition of samples. These minerals can include those that would form as a result of exposure to water.
- SAM
SAM is short for Sample Analysis at Mars. SAM is another instrument in Curiosity's body. This one detects organic molecules, which are considered to be the building blocks of carbon-based life, using a mass spectrometer, a gas chromatograph, and laser spectrometer.
- MAHLI
The Mars Hand Lens Imager or MAHLI is a focusable camera that takes color photos of objects as small as 12.5 microns across.
- DAN
DAN is short for Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons. This is an active/passive neutron spectrometer designed to search for water and ice up to 2 meters below the Martian surface. DAN fires a beam of neutrons into the soil and times their return speed. The premise here is that the return rate is changed if the beam encounters water in any form.
- RAD
RAD is the Radiation Assessment Detector, which will characterize the nature and amount of radiation on the surface of Mars. Data from RAD will help plan future unmanned and manned missions, keeping equipment and people safe from solar radiation, cosmic radiation and ambient radiation from the Martian atmosphere and soil.
- Mobile Lab
The Rover isn't tied to one place. If Curiosity sees an area it wishes to explore more closely, it can simply relocate.
- Telecommunications Array
There isn't much point in collecting data if it doesn't make it back to Earth! Curiosity has a complex communications array that will relay its findings to Earth's Deep Space Network via the Mars Orbiters.
Why Is Mars Red?
Why the Mars Curiosity Mission Is Important
How To Watch the Curiosity Mission
